Oscillating fan



Aug..l9, 1941. G, H KOCH 2,253,127

OSCILLATING FAN Filed Oct. 12, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l -?AINVENTOR GUSTAV H. Koc

ATTORN Y 1941- G: H. KOCH 2,253,127

OSCILLATING FAN Filed 001:. 12, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR GUSTAV H. Keel-L.

BY Z 2 ATToRNf' Patented Aug. 19, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT 1 OFFICE I t 2,253,127 7 i OSCILLATING FAN Gustav H. Koch, Springfield, Mass, assignor to Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pin, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application October 12, 1938, Serial No. 234,519 8 Claims. ((31. 230-256) My invention relates to an oscillating fan and has foran object to provide improved apparatus of thiskind.

A further object of the invention is to prevent dripping of lubricant from the oscillating mechanism of a fan.

It is a furtherobject of the invention to provide improved clutch means for rendering the oscillating mechanism of a fan active and inactive.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved oscillating means for a motor driven fan that is economical to produce.

These and other objects are effected by my invention as will be apparent from the following description and claims taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of an electrically driven fan having my invention applied thereto; a portion of the View being shown in section taken along the line 1-1 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 11-11 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged View of a portion of Fig. 2 showing certain elements thereof in a different operating position; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional View of details taken along the line IV-IV of Fig. 3.

Reference will now be had to the drawings wherein I have shown my invention applied to a fanof the floor-mounted type, but it Will be understood that it is equally applicable to smaller type fans such as the so-called desk and bracket type. The fan, as shown, includes a plurality of fan blades l carried by the rotatable shaft ll of a motor l2. Support for the motor I2 is provided by a pedestal including a base l3, a

column I4 and a swivel member |5 carried by,

the column M. The swivel member 15 i adjustably carried by the column l4 so that it may be moved throughout an arc in a vertical plane whereby the direction of the air stream is adjustable upwardly and downwardly, as is well understood. The particular swiveling arrange-.

ment which I have shown is more fully disclosed andlclaimed in my copending application, Serial No. 229,813 filed September 14, 1938, and assigned to Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company. It will be understood that other suitable forms of swivel may be employed;

Oscillation of the motor |2 about the swivel member I5 is afforded by a pin |6 fixed to the bottom of the motor l2 and rotatably supported within the member l5. Electrical energy is supplied to the motor I2 by a flexible conductor extending between the motor l2 and the swivel member l5. A switch (not shown) is disposed within the swivel member |5 for controlling energization of the motor l2, the operating member of the switch being shown as a conventional pull chain |8. p

In accordance with my invention, a mechanism, shown in detail and generally indicated by the numeral I9, is employed for oscillating the motor |2 about the axis of the pin l6 and in a plane normal thereto. The oscillating mechanism |9 includes a housing 2| secured in any suitable manner to the motor l2. As shown, a plurality of bolts 22 are employed for this purpose. A bearing 23 is formed in the housing 2| for an end of the motor shaft l I, which end is provided with a worm 24 disposed in overhanging relation with respect to the bearing 23.

The worm 24 meshes with a worm wheel 25 within a chamber 26 formed in the housing 2|. (See Figs. 2 to 4 inclusive.) A cover 21. is provided for closing the chamber 26 and is secured to the housing 2| by screws 28. The worm wheel 25 is loosely or rotatably carried by a vertical shaft 29 that is journaled in a bearing 3| carried by the housing 2|. A portion of the shaft 29 extends exteriorly of the housing 2| and is provided with a pinion 32. A shoulder 33 formed on the shaft 29 defines a thrust collar and bears upon the upper end of the bearing 3|. Support for the worm wheel 25 is also afforded bythe shoulder 33, said wheel 25 being rotatably carried on a reduced portion 34 formed on the shaft 29 above the shoulder 33.

Rotation of the shaft 29 is controlled by an improved clutch, generally indicated at 35 and including a stem 35, threaded upon the shaft 29 as shown by the numeral 37, and provided at its upper end with an actuating knob 38. An annular spring clutch washer 39 is disposed intermediate the lower end of the stem 36 and the worm Wheel 25 and is preferably bowed, as shown inFig. 3. Rotation of the clutch washer 39 relative the shaft 29 is prevented by a tongue 4| formed on the Washer 39 and extending within an axially extending slot 42 formed in the shaft 29. The operation of the clutch35 is described hereinafter.

In accordance with the present invention a cupped member 45 is employed exteriorly of the housing 2| as a sump or reservoir for lubricant that may escape from the chamber 26. The

ternal gear teeth 46 that mesh with the teeth of the pinion 32 so that the member 45 defines an element of the speed reducing drive of the oscillating device I9. The member 45 is carried by a rotatable stub shaft 41, journaled in the housing 2!; axial movement of the stub shaft 41 being prevented by a screw 48 threaded in the housing 2! and disposed within a groove 49 formed in the stub shaft.

The member 45 preferably functions as a crank for the oscillating mechanism l9 and to this end is provided with one or more threaded openings for receiving a threaded crank pin 52. A suitable connecting rod 53 connects the crank pin 52 with a stationary pivot pin 54- carried by an extension 55 of the swivel member 15. During operation, oscillating movement of the fan motor l2 about the axis of the pin 16 is effected by the connection between the rotating.

slow speed member 45 and the connecting rod 53, the latter being pivoted on the stationary pin 54. As this operation is well understood, further reference thereto is deemed unnecessary.

During periodswhen oscillation is effected, the

If, during operation, the oscillatory movement.

of the motor I2 is restrained foranyjreasom such as, by engagement of the oscillating portions with a stationary object, slipping of the. worm wheel 25 relative the-washer 39 is afforded so that tipping of the fan or damage to the oscillating mechanismis obviated. Q

Rotation of the stem 36 relative the shaft 29 effects upward axial movement of the. stem 36 so that the pressure on the bowed spring washer 39 is relieved. This position is shown in Fig. 3. Accordingly, slippage between the worm wheel 25 and the washer39 is effected sothat the worm wheel 25 rotates freely on the shaft 29. The fan now operates as, a noneoscillating fan.

Lubrication of the oscillating mechanism J9 is provided by grease disposed within the chamber.

26. The grease thins during operation and may escape from the chamber by passing through the journalbearing 3|. It has, heretofore, been the practice to provide a pan for collecting such escaped lubricant. In accordance with the present invention, any lubricant that drains from the chamber 25 is collected in the member 45, so that the provisionof other collecting means is obviated, As the storage capacity of the member 45: is large relative the amount of lubricant thatis necessary, the fan may be operated over long periods without removing the lubricant fromthe member 45. The escape of lubricant from the chamber 25 maybe prevented or retarded substantially by providing a return helical. oil groove 55 on the shaft29 and by the provision member 45 may be suitably formed to present a pleasing appearance when combined with the cover 58.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have provided an improved oscillating mechanism and clutch for a Ventilating fan that may be readily and economically manufactured. The member 45 of themechanism combines the functions of the conventional slow speed gear, drip pan and crank of mechanisms provided heretofore so that a substantial reduction in factory cost is provided by my improved apparatus when compared to prior structures employing a separategear, drip pan and crank assembly. My improved clutch mechanism is of simplified conform, it will be obvious to those skilled in the.

art that it is not so limited, butis susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire,

therefore; that only suchlimitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or aslare specifically set forth inthe appende claims.

What Iclaim is: 1. In an oscillating fan, the combination of a motor having a rotatable shaft, fan blades driven by the shaft, rneansfor pivotally supporting the motor, ahousing carried by the motor, speed reducing means disposed within the housing and including a ,driven shaftextending downwardly and exteriorly of the housing, a cupped mem-' ber driven by th shaft and disposed for collecting lubricant discharged from the housing, a second vertical shaft on which said cupped member is mounted, said second vertical shaft being rotatably mounted on said housing in side-byside relation to the first-mentioned vertical shaft, and a rod pivotallyconnectedto said member and to said supporting means for effecting oscillatory movement of the motor.

carried" by the vertical shaft, a cupped member having internal teeth meshing with thepinion. said cupped member being disposed beneath the housing for defining a sump for lubricant draining from the housing, means including a substantially vertical shaft spaced from the firstmentioned vertical shaft for rotatably mounting the :cupped member, a connecting rod having one'end thereof pivotally connected to the base and the opposite end thereof eccentrically connected to the cupped member',.whereby oscillatory movement is imparted to the fan motor during operation.

3. In an oscillating fan, the combination of a fan motor having a rotatable shaft, means for pivotally supporting the fan motor, speed reducing. meansdriven by said rotatable shaft and including .avertical rotatable shaft, a second vertical shaft rotatably mounted on the fan motor in horizontally spaced relation to the firstmentioned vertical shaft and to the axis of said pivotal supporting means, a gear member mounted on said second vertical shaft and driven by said first-mentioned vertical shaft. said gear member forming a reservoir disposed to collect lubricant draining from said speed reducing means, and means operatively connected with said gear member and said supporting means for imparting an oscillatory movement to the fan motor.

4. In an oscillating fan, the combination of a motor having a rotatable shaft, fan blades driven by the shaft, a housing carried by the motor, a substantially vertical shaft disposed within the housing and driven by the motor shaft, said vertical shaft having a portion thereof extending exteriorly of the housing, a pinion carried by the portion of the vertical shaft exteriorly of th housing, a cupped gear having internal teeth meshing with said pinion and defining a reservoir forlubricant draining from the housing, means including a substantially vertical shaft spaced from the first-mentioned vertical shaft for rotatably mounting the cupped gear, a supporting member, means for mounting the motor on said supporting member to pivot about an axis spaced from said gear, and means operatively connected with said cupped gear for oscillating the motor about said pivot axis.

5. In an oscillating fan, the combination of a motor having a rotatable shaft, fan blades driven by the shaft, a housing carried by the motor, speed reducing means driven by the motor shaft and disposed Within the housing, a shaft driven by the, speed reducing means and extending downwardly through a portion of the housing, a cupped member disposed exteriorly of the housing and driven by the second-mentioned shaft, said cup member defining a sump for lubricant draining from the housing, said cupped member being mounted on a substantially vertical shaft rotatably carried by said housing above the cupped member and horizontally spaced from the second-mentioned shaft, a supporting member, means for mounting the motor on said supporting member to pivot about an axis spaced from said cupped member, and means associated with the cupped member for oscillating the motor about said pivot axis.

6. In an oscillating fan, the combination of a supporting member, a motor pivotally mounted thereon and having a rotatable shaft, fan blades mounted on said shaft, a gear driven by said shaft, a second shaft extending concentrically through said gear and having a shoulder adapted to'engage one side of the gear, a retaining member screw-threaded to said second shaft, a spring washer interposed between said retaining member and said gear, said retaining member being adapted to be actuated to clamp said gear and said spring washer betweensaid shoulder and the retaining member to cause said shaft to be driven by said gear, and also being adapted to be actuated to permit said gear to rotate freely about said second shaft without driving the same, and means driven by said second shaft for oscillating the motor relative to said supporting member.

'7. The combination set forth in claim 6 wherein the spring washer and the second shaft are formed to interlock against relative rotation.

8. In an oscillating fan, the combination of a fan motor having a rotatable shaft, fan blades driven by the shaft, speed reducing means driven by said rotatable shaft and including a second rotatable shaft disposed transversely of the first shaft and having a pinion formed on one end thereof, a third shaft disposed in parallel and spaced relation to said second shaft, a cupped gear member mounted on said third shaft and formed with internal gear teeth meshing with said pinion, said cupped gear member constituting a reservoir and being disposed to collect lubricant draining from said speed reducing means, a supporting member, means for mounting the motor on said supporting member to pivot about an axis spaced from said cupped gear member, and means associated with said cupped. gear member for oscillating the motor about said pivot axis.

GUSTAV H. KOCH. 

